What is 7/8 - 2/3?

Here's how to subtract 2/3 from 7/8:

7

8

−

2

3

Step 1

We can't subtract two fractions with different denominators. So you need to get a common denominator. To do this, you'll multiply the denominators times each other... but the numerators have to change, too. They get multiplied by the other term's denominator.

So we multiply 7 by 3, and get 21.

Then we multiply 2 by 8, and get 16.

Next we give both terms new denominators -- 8 × 3 = 24.

So now our fractions look like this:

21

24

−

16

24

Step 2

Since our denominators match, we can subtract the numerators.

21 − 16 = 5

So the answer is:

5

24

Step 3

Last of all, we need to simplify the fraction, if possible. Can it be reduced to a simpler fraction?